Unit 7: The Energy in Chemical Reactions—Thermodynamics and Enthalpy

Unit Overview

The transfer of chemical energy to heat, light, and kinetic energy is striking in the vibrant display of fireworks, but the transfer of energy is also basic to all chemical reactions. Thermodynamics—the study of how and why energy moves—governs what can happen in a chemical reaction. By applying the laws of thermodynamics, chemists can measure, predict, and control the heat and energy of chemical reactions to help solve problems like making cleaner burning rocket fuels and more efficient engines.